Acute Red Eye

Question 1

What are the signs/symptoms of infective conjunctivitis and how is it treated?

Answer 1

Red eye
Purulent/watery discharge
Gritty pain
Treat with topical antibiotics

Question 2

What are the signs/symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis and how is it treated?

Answer 2

Red eye with chemosis (conjunctivae swelling)
Itchy pain
Watery/mucoid discharge
Avoid the allergen and treat with topical antihistamines and as last resort use a mast cell stabiliser

Question 3

What are the signs/symptoms of a corneal abrasion and how is it treated?

Answer 3

Extremely painful on blinking
Watering
Blurred Vision
Examined in hospital using topical anaesthetic but this cant be taken home as delays healing. Treat with topical antibiotics and paracetamol/ibuprofen for analgesia.

Question 4

What are the signs/symptoms of acute anterior uveitis and how is it treated?

Answer 4

Inflammation of the iris and ciliary body.
Pain and red eye
Watering
Floaters and photophobia
Small irregular pupil
Hypopyon (pus in anterior chamber)
Keratic precipitate (White cell deposits on corneal epithelium)
Treat with topical steroids and dilating drops (cyclopentolate)

Question 5

What are the signs/symptoms of orbital cellulitis and how is it treated?

Answer 5

Painful red eye
Blurred vision and diplopia
Malaise and pyrexia
Proptosis and reduced eye movement
Treated with IV antibiotics and drainage of pus. CT scan to determine where the infection came from (nasal sinuses)